bigger front tire?????

[hecoon]

Has anyone put a 175/65/14 tire on the front????

it calls for a 165/65/14

thanks
clay

[DragonLorD]

Has anyone put a 175/65/14 tire on the front????

it calls for a 165/65/14

thanks
clay


185/60/14

[SPYD3R]

YES, i have KUMHO 175/65R14's up front...
they are gr8 tires... 1 problem however, they are discontinued, but you still can find them out there...
http://www.kumhotireusa.com/tire/category/car/D769508F-2DB6-4AE6-B49A-2EF1777A6970
58565

[Big Arm]

YES, i have KUMHO 175/65R14's up front...
they are gr8 tires... 1 problem however, they are discontinued, but you still can find them out there...
http://www.kumhotireusa.com/tire/category/car/D769508F-2DB6-4AE6-B49A-2EF1777A6970
58565

They still have them listed on tirerack.com 136.00 for the pair, plus shipping.

[hecoon]

thanks guys

[BajaRon]

I plan to put 185/60/14's on my Spyder. Others have done this with success.

Here is a great little tire comparrison calculator. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Though size may vary from brand to brand (and even model to model) with the same size markings, this at least gives you some ball park figures to work with.

Standard Size Comparrison.

165/65/14 = Diameter - 22.4", Circumference - 70.5"
175/65/14 = Diameter - 23.0", Circumference - 72.1"
185/60/14 = Diameter - 22.7", Circumberence - 71.4"

As you can see, the 185/60/14 is closer to stock Diameter/Circumference dimensions than the 175/65/14 and the 185 gives you more tread on the ground at the same time.

[Y-me]

I plan to put 185/60/14's on my Spyder. Others have done this with success.

Here is a great little tire comparrison calculator. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Though size may vary from brand to brand (and even model to model) with the same size markings, this at least gives you some ball park figures to work with.

Standard Size Comparrison.

165/65/14 = Diameter - 22.4", Circumference - 70.5"
175/65/14 = Diameter - 23.0", Circumference - 72.1"
185/60/14 = Diameter - 22.7", Circumberence - 71.4"

As you can see, the 185/60/14 is closer to stock Diameter/Circumference dimensions than the 175/65/14 and the 185 gives you more tread on the ground at the same time.

Did the 185/60/14's fit okay under the stock fenders?

Y
Be

[capt.jim]

The 185-60's will fit but will be tight, I removed my fenders and elongated the holes in the brackets to move them out 1/4-3/8 ", which actually puts them directly in the middle of the tire, others have added washers between the bracket and fender to raise them up slightly.

[Barbarossa]

Hi,

I exchanged the original Kendas for the Toyo Proxes CF1 ==> 175/60-R14. The tyres are in use for approx. 17.000 miles now and look almost new. No significant signs of usage!

From my experience I can recommend these tyres, but I don't know if these tyres are available in the US?!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uw1Db3KRI58/TB4ee89ZzpI/AAAAAAAABMY/YIn_-Q114r8/s640/IMG_0616.JPG

Regards,
Alex

[Bob Denman]

Do these tire size changes show any affect to Nanny and her speed sensors?

[jerpinoy]

If wider tires works on front wheels the better especially for stopping, the more contact surface between tires and road the better:yes::yes::yes:

[BajaRon]

Hi,

I exchanged the original Kendas for the Toyo Proxes CF1 ==> 175/60-R14. The tyres are in use for approx. 17.000 miles now and look almost new. No significant signs of usage!

From my experience I can recommend these tyres, but I don't know if these tyres are available in the US?!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uw1Db3KRI58/TB4ee89ZzpI/AAAAAAAABMY/YIn_-Q114r8/s640/IMG_0616.JPG

Regards,
Alex

That is a great tire choice (or Tyre as they say). The diameter is virtually the same as OEM, a bit more tread on the ground and the Toyo CF1 looks to be a very good tire. I do not believe that tire is available in the US.

[capt.jim]

These are 185-60-14 Michelin Exalta's, these fenders have been moved out 3/8", the tires line up with the center of the fender now.

[Bob Denman]

If wider tires works on front wheels the better especially for stopping, the more contact surface between tires and road the better:yes::yes::yes:
I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_2_107.gif

[BajaRon]

These are 185-60-14 Michelin Exalta's, these fenders have been moved out 3/8", the tires line up with the center of the fender now.

How did you go about moving the fenders out?

[Bob Denman]

probably just an extra thick "washer" between the bracketry and fender... :dontknow: with longer bolts! ;)

[capt.jim]

How did you go about moving the fenders out?

I elongated the holes in the brackets outward with a dremel tool. I also trimmed the bottom of the splash guard straight down, this made getting the tire in or out much easier without it hanging up on the tip of the guard.

[Campverdefela]

I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_2_107.gif

:agree:Also the half inch or less in the choices given would probably make little difference.

[BajaRon]

I elongated the holes in the brackets outward with a dremel tool. I also trimmed the bottom of the splash guard straight down, this made getting the tire in or out much easier without it hanging up on the tip of the guard.

Thanks, I will need to do mine soon and I know they won't fit with the stock setup.


I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree? http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_2_107.gif

I'm not a tire engineer and your theory has merrit on the surface. But if more pressure per square inch were the formula then dragsters would be running pizza cutters.

[NancysToy]

I'm not a tire engineer and your theory has merrit on the surface. But if more pressure per square inch were the formula then dragsters would be running pizza cutters.
:roflblack: In general, traction improves with more tire on the ground, but vehicles seem to have a point where increasing the contact area begins to reduce traction. This effect is enhanced by wet or snowy conditions. From what I have seen, the point at which it happens is at least partially dependent on the weight of the vehicle, the tread pattern (or lack thereof with a dragster), and the weather or road conditions. If it was a cut and dried thing, we would probably all run the same tire, with the same pressure, all the time. Each owner must find what works for him and the way he rides. BTW, I don't recommend the pizza cutters.

[Bob Denman]

Those big boys also use traction-enhancing techniques and additives for their short runs...

[Campverdefela]

Those big boys also use traction-enhancing techniques and additives for their short runs...

That's right, very sticky tires. I know from my winter experience back in Pennsylvania that a narrower tire gave better traction in the snow.

[BajaRon]

That's right, very sticky tires. I know from my winter experience back in Pennsylvania that a narrower tire gave better traction in the snow.

In poor traction situations a wider tire acts like a ski. Snow, standing water and mud, for example. In these situations (except for packed snow) you want to get through the problem down to where traction exists, so narrower is better.

Like Scotty says, each situation and combination of circumstances prescribes a certain 'Ideal' tire. The problem is, we don't usually have a rack full of different tires like a race team, and no one to swap them out every time the conditions warrant. So we select the tire that will do us the most good in the majority of situations we encounter. This always requires compromise.

Then, hopefully, we are aware of the weaknesses of our chosen tire and ride accordingly when the tire is not optimal for that particular condition.

[NancysToy]

In poor traction situations a wider tire acts like a ski. Snow, standing water and mud, for example. In these situations (except for packed snow) you want to get through the problem down to where traction exists, so narrower is better.

Like Scotty says, each situation and combination of circumstances prescribes a certain 'Ideal' tire. The problem is, we don't usually have a rack full of different tires like a race team, and no one to swap them out every time the conditions warrant. So we select the tire that will do us the most good in the majority of situations we encounter. This always requires compromise.

Then, hopefully, we are aware of the weaknesses of our chosen tire and ride accordingly when the tire is not optimal for that particular condition.
Well said, Ron! :thumbup:

[Bob Denman]

Since we're tlaking tires here; does anybody know of a 155 or 145 section width shoe that could work up front? I've been wondering if that might help Doc on his WFO runs at Bonneville...

[BajaRon]

Since we're tlaking tires here; does anybody know of a 155 or 145 section width shoe that could work up front? I've been wondering if that might help Doc on his WFO runs at Bonneville...

I think Doc might be better off with pizza cutters on the front for his run. Less friction...


http://static3.ponoko.com/images/thumbnails/2010/08/29/041657_file.jpg?&s=211b03aa6b57f8b3

[Bob Denman]

:agree:; but I don't know what tires are actually available, or what's allowed in the class(es) that he runs... :dontknow:

[hecoon]

got the 175/65/14 's put on the bike friday.
rode 263 miles on sat and 326 on sunday.
174.09 out the door from tire kingdom.
i usually order from tire rack but there was only a few dollars difference so i let the local store do it.

did not notice any difference in the handling of the bike

[steve635]

got the 175/65/14 's put on the bike friday.
rode 263 miles on sat and 326 on sunday.
174.09 out the door from tire kingdom.
i usually order from tire rack but there was only a few dollars difference so i let the local store do it.

did not notice any difference in the handling of the bike

What brand? And did Tire Kingdom mount and balance them on your Spyder?

[BajaRon]

got the 175/65/14 's put on the bike friday.
rode 263 miles on sat and 326 on sunday.
174.09 out the door from tire kingdom.
i usually order from tire rack but there was only a few dollars difference so i let the local store do it.

did not notice any difference in the handling of the bike

What tire did you get?

[SllimG]

The softness of the rubber has more to do with traction than anything else. Police vehicles typically use a "V" or pursuit rated tire. They are made of very soft rubber. Great for traction, but they wear out quickly. That is the reason race cars go through so many tires. Soft rubber wears a lot faster.

[StriperKing]

This is what I have and am very happy with them. Just another choice. About 10,000 miles and no noticable wear. General Altimax HP 185/60R14
587975879558796

[larryd]

I'm thinking about trying a pair of these on the front of my 08 GS...Anyone have any information or feed back???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Federal-FORMOZA-FD1-175-60R14-79H-TL-BSW-TIRES-/330804451764

[BajaRon]

I'm thinking about trying a pair of these on the front of my 08 GS...Anyone have any information or feed back???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Federal-FORMOZA-FD1-175-60R14-79H-TL-BSW-TIRES-/330804451764

A typical issue with a summer tire is that when it gets cooler/cold, they get pretty slick. They have to be warm to work.

[Mike X]

Will the rims take different sizes of tyre ? I love the look of wide tyres but I thought the wider you go the more the tyre would be pinched causing the surface area contacting the road to be reduced but maybe that could be controled by varying tyre pressures ?..........my head hurts .

[Bob Denman]

You might want to contact "rnet" in here about those issues...
He's been installing wider and larger tires on the front end of Spyders for a while now; I'm pretty sure that he can address those issues for you. :thumbup: